More cases linked to 3 arrested Schaumburg cops tossed

Former Schaumburg officers John Cichy, from left, Matthew Hudak and Terrance O'Brien were charged in 2013 with conspiracy to steal drugs and money from drug dealers while on duty.

Former Schaumburg officers John Cichy, from left, Matthew Hudak and Terrance O'Brien were charged in 2013 with conspiracy to steal drugs and money from drug dealers while on duty.

(DuPage County sheriff's office)

George HoudeSpecial to the Tribune

Two more felony drug cases were dismissed in Cook County Circuit Court today as a resultof the arrest of three Schaumburg police officers who authorities say set up their own narcotics business.

“We're just happy the state did the right thing in this case,” said Rachel Baker, an assistant Cook County public defender.

Class X felony charges against her client, Diangelo Beasley, were dropped during a brief hearing in Rolling Meadows branch court. Beasley, 25, of Chicago, was arrested June 27 in Arlington Heights by the three undercover narcotics officers after a hand-to-hand delivery of Ecstasy pills was made, Baker said.

Beasley also was charged with delivery of a look-alike substance. He escaped a possible sentence of up to 30 years had he been convicted.

Also dismissed Tuesday were Class X charges against Mario Alvarez, 33, of Schaumburg, who was arrested in June in Hoffman Estates following another undercover operation by the three officers.

The dismissals come in the wake of the arrests of officers John Cichy, Terrance O’Brien and John Hudak on allegations they had started their own illegal narcotics business last year with drugs and cash they had stolen from dealers.

Following their arrests the Cook County public defender’s office and the Cook County state’s attorney’s office began a review of pending court cases involving the officers. The trio operated in other northwest suburbs as well as Schaumburg, authorities said.

The officers were arrested Jan. 16 after an investigation by federal agents and remain in custody. A total of 15 cases are expected to be dismissed, according to the state’s attorney’s office.